New Zealand Prime Minister Bill English has launched his party's campaign for reelection, warning economic and social gains could be lost if National doesn't win a fourth term on September 23.
Nearly 3000 cheering supporters were in the Trusts Arena in Auckland to hear Mr English set out the government's achievements and its vision for the future.
"An unstable, untested group of parties on the left would risk it all with their unpredictable and unclear policies," he said.
"Hard working New Zealanders aren't an ATM or the Labour Party."
Mr English has set the stage for an intense four-week campaign, and National will base its appeal on being a tried and tested government that has taken New Zealand through the global financial crisis, devastating earthquakes and spiralling debt.
"The economy shrank, unemployment rose sharply, and we faced large deficits," he said.
"Fast forward to 2017 - we now have one of the best performing economies in the world and the books are in surplus."
Presented to the party's supporters as a strong family man with six children - his daughter Maria sang the national anthem - Mr English used his speech to unveil new education initiatives.
He promised a $379 million package if National is re-elected that would put more resources for digital learning and maths in schools, and a guarantee that all primary school children would be able to learn a second language if they wanted to.
Speaking after the launch, Mr English told reporters he thought it had been "fantastic - there's so much enthusiasm out on the campaign trail and we're in pretty good shape".
Mr English said the choice facing voters would become even more clear over the next four weeks.
"I think they're enjoying the contest."
Asked whether he was confident of winning, he replied: "We're confident we will if we do all the work to earn all the votes."
